Testimonials
Conner Twyman, Powerlifter
"When I first started with Michael, I was very hesitant about being coached. I had been coached in sports before, but I was worried that I'd lose the spark for powerlifting that I had been fighting to get back. He had the opposite effect on me - I have never loved the sport this much. In 14 weeks, I added about 20 pounds to each of my competition lifts. I have learned so much about this sport and I have enjoyed every second of Michael's coaching. He is responsive, explains things well, and pushes me hard when I need an extra boost. Most importantly to me, he has established a relationship that exceeds coaching - he has become a good friend. If you are looking to reach your lifting goals, Michael is your guy."
Isaac Priego, Powerlifter
"Michael’s coaching is great! Nothing but good vibes and honest responses from him. He is always straight up with me what I need to improve.
I started working with Michael to improve my form and try to get back to the numbers I hit before my hand injury, and we did that. Michael also helped me correct my form and use it for heavier weights. I learned how to properly use leg drive and to control the weight, and it helped my bench go up. Michael helped me turn my hate for bench to a love for the movement.
Michael helped me gain a vision on my potential I have to lift much more heavy weights. Michael’s coaching is a great experience and I recommend it to anyone with strength goals!"
Josh Little, Personal Trainer & Coach
"Words cannot speak highly enough of Michael, and his coaching. When I signed up for my meet in December, I knew I didn’t have the time or energy to prep myself. So, I decided to reach out to Mike because I saw he had been coaching powerlifting. I’ve been a personal trainer for over 15 years, and a beginner powerlifting coach for 5. This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. His plan was precise and tuned specifically to me. I started the plan, but unfortunately, I suffered an oblique strain on Day 1. Michael immediately made modifications to the plan to accommodate the injury and gave me a handful of exercises to help rehab. Two weeks in we began bringing the numbers up day by day until I was back to full strength. That is when the real growth began. I felt stronger than ever, and the weaknesses I once had were becoming strengths. Overall at the meet I hit a 23 pound squat PR (with more in the tank), a 17 pound bench PR, and a 33 pound deadlift PR (with a ton more in the tank) for a total of 1681, which is also a meet total PR of 83 pounds. I also recorded the highest DOTS score of anyone in the meet, in any weight class or group. Even with having worked in the industry for so long I will always preach to have a coach at any level."
Luke Orwick, Regular Dude
"Before I met Michael I had been going to the gym for around one year and I wasn't meeting my goals nor progressing in any of my lifts or muscle growth. Then Michael being the very outgoing and friendly man that he is approached me one day and offered his help very politely and I immediately started to see results towards my bodybuilding goals. I've been working with Michael for 10 months now and in that time I have managed to gain over 35 lbs and noticeably improved muscle growth as well as dramatic strength and technique improvements on all of my lifts. I could not recommend Michael enough due to his professional, friendly, and go getter attitude. If you want results, Michael is your man!"
Julie Hurley, Team USA Powerlifter
"My name is Julie Hurley. I’m a 61 year old, 60 kg female who started lifting 2 years ago, because, well, I don’t know. I don’t like crowds or attention, and I’m as stubborn as a mule. Here I am at the IPL World competition and Michael gets to coach me. I’m freaking out inside and Michael is calm and collected. In his calm and confident manner, Michael quickly took charge of me, not an easy task. He got me to warm up in a strategic manner, with minimal tweaks, while confirming to me I could do this. Michael’s calm and confident manner was exactly what I needed to get through the day. He was able to distract me in such a way that I didn’t pay attention to the spectators and did my best at the meet. Michael is extremely knowledgeable and has a gift of making changes without any mental conflict to me... Michael made my experience at Worlds one of which I’m proud of. He’s the best!!!"
Jamie Shifflet, Team USA Powerlifter
"Michael was an unexpected surprise at Worlds in Oregon as this was the first time I had been handled. I didn’t know what to think when he walked up and explained to me that he would be my coach and handler for the day. I went with it and quickly found out that Michael knew what he was talking about.
With Michael’s professionalism, knowledge, and a sense of calm, he kept me informed on my warm ups, updated on how far out I was from lifting. Then Michael helped me make the best decisions on my attempts as I went 8/9, with that one lift being my own fault. Michael communicated with me on my lifts on techniques while building my confidence with each lift.
Michael it was an honor to meet you and work with you and hopefully we will get to do it again one day."
Celeste Fulmer, Powerlifter
"Michael coaching and handling my meet day was a fantastic experience. Meet days almost always overwhelm me because it feels like the day flies by and I lose track of when to warm up, when to eat breakfast, or when to quickly run to the restroom. Michael helped those fears dissipate by perfectly managing my time to allow for all those. First were the squat warm-ups and he took care of everything. He would talk to the other coaches to work my warm-ups in and also allowed for other athletes to work in. He would tap me on the shoulder or nod to let me know it was my turn to warm up and it was very easy. My second squat attempt got ⅔ red lights and it felt really frustrating. Michael calmed me down, asked me to focus on keeping the bar speed like the first attempt, and to not focus too much on the judges comments about depth. I believe Michael made a great judgment call by selecting a weight that was only about a 5 kilogram jump for the third attempt. Overall, Michael was an amazing coach/ handler and I would have him help me again for my next meet!"
Valerie Smith, World Champion
"Aside from my coach, Michael is the only person who I have and would have handle me at a meet. He was my handler at USPA 2024 Nationals and most recently, at IPL World's. At both of these meets, Michael was methodical in his choosing of numbers for me which resulted in numerous world records as well as world champion of the 75 kilo open and master's class. Prior to the meet, he gathered all the necessary information to make the necessary jumps to assist me in reaching my goals. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a level headed, experienced handler!"
Dottie Michaud, Team USA Powerlifter
"Michael coached me when I was a member of Team USA for the 2024 IPL World Championship in Las Vegas. Competing for the team was a good experience, but having Michael as my coach for the meet was a great experience. He was calm, attentive and gave great guidance and feedback that helped me at the meet. His advice on ways I can improve in all lifts will definitely help me going forward. Michael is a definite asset to the coaching staff for USPA's Team USA. I hope to work with him again!"
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Eamon, Powerlifter
"Michael was an immense help! I recently competed in my first meet and couldn’t be more grateful that I had Michael’s guidance. Whether it was attempt selection, nutrition, or just general encouragement, I was incredibly happy to have Michael in my corner."
